In consequence, Roy (now Lord) Kennedy and I have decided to set up a Lords YS branch, to remind us of old times! Other things have resonance with early periods in the party. Just as a new member could (can?) rapidly become the branch secretary or GC delegate, I find myself on “CoCo” – as the backbench coordinating committee is delightfully known – no doubt by dint of being the first to arrive at a particular meeting!
I am, by virtue of my advanced years, generally very sympathetic to those affirm through age, and therefore leapt to the defence of some hereditary peers who were criticised for talking too loudly in the chamber as a by-product of their deafness. “It happens with age”, I said to their Conservative critic. “Not a bit of it”, she retorted. “It’s the shooting”.
Whatever new notions I experience in the Lords, the pinnacle has to be for the all-scary maiden speech. It is the Lords as its very best. I’d already noted its friendliness, and relative absence of competitive behaviour (perhaps because our political futures are behind us?) but nothing prepared me for the courtesy and helpfulness that accompanies one’s first speech. The doors are shut so no-one can enter or leave; no one stirs or moves; the “listening” is profound. And afterwards comes a generosity of praise and support which is truly moving. Furthermore, I chose to speak on a private member’s bill on defamation, and therefore witnessed high level legal arguments, thoughtful medical, scientific and artistic contributions plus a debate between speakers which is rare for political discourse.
Despite all the positives of that occasion, it was weird for an old Fabian like me to see the Conservative Earl Attlee on the government front bench, aside the minister – former Fabian assistant general secretary Tom McNally – on a bill moved from the government side by former Fabian chair and treasurer, Anthony Lester. Whilst Clem Attlee’s grandson might feel comfortable in that position, it is hard to believe it comes as easily to sit with this public-spending-slashing cohort of Conservatives for the former Labour loyalists. Time will tell.
